_Count._ Already I have heard it, And I must hear that word again? 'Tis bitter; Importunate it comes upon me, like an insect That, driven once away, returns to buzz About my face.... The victory is in vain! The field is heaped with corpses; scattered wide, And broken, are the rest--a most flourishing Army, with which, if it were still united, And it were mine, mine truly, I'd engage To overrun all Italy! Every design Of the enemy baffled; even the hope of harm Taken away from him; and from my hand Hardly escaped, and glad of their escape, Four captains against whom but yesterday It were a boast to show resistance; vanished Half of the dread of those great names; in us Doubled the daring that the foe has lost; The whole choice of the war now in our hands; And ours the lands they've left--is't nothing? Think you that they will go back to the Duke, Those prisoners; and that they love him, or Care more for _him_ than _you_? that they have fought In _his_ behalf? Nay, they have combatted Because a sovereign voice within the heart Of men that follow any banner cries, “Combat and conquer!” they have lost and so Are set at liberty; they'll sell themselves-- O, such is now the soldier!--to the first That seeks to buy them--Buy them; they are yours! _1st Com._ When we paid those that were to fight with them, We then believed ourselves to have purchased them. _2d Com._ My lord, Venice confides in you; in you She sees a son; and all that to her good And to her glory can redound, expects Shall be done by you. _Count._ Everything I can. _2d Com._ And what can you not do upon this field? _Count._ The thing you ask. An ancient use, a use Dear to the soldier, I can not violate. _2d Com._ You, whom no one resists, on whom so promptly Every will follows, so that none can say, Whether for love or fear it yield itself; You, in this camp, you are not able, you, To make a law, and to enforce it? _Count._ I said I could not; now I rather say, I _will_ not! No further words; with friends this hath been ever My ancient custom; satisfy at once And gladly all just prayers, and for all other Refuse them openly and promptly. Soldier! _Com._ Nay--what is your purpose? _Count._ You will see anon. {_To a soldier who enters_ How many prisoners still remain? _Soldier._ I think, My lord, four hundred.